When it comes to classic Nintendo titles that fans want to see revived, few would place Kirby Air Ride from 2003 on the GameCube in their top five. Yet Nintendo being Nintendo, it has other plans, and Kirby Air Riders has now landed on the Switch 2 as a wild surprise.
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On the surface, it’s a kart racer with more than 20 machines and an equal number of riders, each with their own stats and abilities. It’s also packed with content and things to do.
Driving Down Memory Circuit
For fans of the pink puff, this is a real treat. The game works almost like a playful history lesson, full of nods to the series’ past and stuffed with elements from across its many eras.
Racing is simplified. Your machine accelerates automatically, leaving you to steer, drift, draft for speed boosts, and attack other racers. The result is a distinctive, slightly on‑rails feel.
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Don’t assume it’s easy. Each machine handles differently, and some have unique movement patterns. Learning them adds challenge and skill to what initially looks like a minimalistic control scheme.
This actually makes it trickier to pick up and play than Nintendo’s other karting juggernaut, which is a good thing. Both series now sit comfortably in their own space, connected only by a broad theme.
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The game does a solid job of teaching you the basics in single-player. If you’ve got friends round who haven’t played before, expect to spend a little time showing them the ropes. Thanks to automatic acceleration, though, you’ll always finish a race no matter how rough your run is.
Mode Selector
There are several modes to choose from, including expanded versions of those seen on the GameCube.
Air Ride is the standard racing mode, offering 10 races across 18 tracks, split evenly between new courses and reimagined classics. Top Ride switches to a top‑down view and has you racing on miniature tracks.
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City Trial returns as a 16‑player battle mode where you gather power‑ups within a time limit before facing off in a final mini‑game.
Then there’s Road Trip, a story‑focused mode that takes you across Planet Popstar to uncover why strange vehicles are falling from the sky. It’s a bite‑sized adventure that ties all the modes together with challenges, unlocks, and clean, stylish cutscenes.
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Customisation is extensive. You can build your ideal machine using unlocks and in‑game gold, then share it on the marketplace. Some of the designs already available are astonishing.
If that’s not enough, the achievement system is slick and generous, offering meaningful rewards such as new machines, characters, and cosmetics. There are 750 achievements in total.
Unmistakable Art Style
Visually, the game is unmistakably Kirby: bright, joyful, and bursting with colour. It looks fantastic on the Switch 2. The soundtrack meets Nintendo’s usual high standards, mixing classic themes with plenty of new tracks.
Kirby Air Riders is unusual, but it’s also brilliant. The controls take a little time to grasp, from the frantic racing to the one‑button input, but once it clicks, you unlock a world of content and hours of fun.
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Mario Kart may be the household hero, but Kirby has just stolen his crown and thrown down the gauntlet, becoming the best kart racer on the Switch 2.
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